Durrës - definition of Durrës by The Free Dictionary Durrës - definition of Durrës by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Dur·rës (do͝or′əs) A city of western Albania on the Adriatic Sea. Founded as a Greek colony c. 625 bc, it is the country's chief seaport. Durrës (ˈdurrəs) n (Placename) a port in W Albania, on the Adriatic. Pop: 114 000 (2003 est). Italian name: Duraz Ancient names: Epidamnus or Dyrrachium Dur•rës a seaport in W Albania, on the Adriatic: important ancient city. 217,000. Italian, Durazzo. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Durazzo Albania , Republic of Albania - a republic in southeastern Europe on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content .

Link to this page: Copyright © 2003-2017 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Durres - definition of Durres by The Free Dictionary Durres - definition of Durres by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Related to Durres: Durresi Dur·rës (do͝or′əs) A city of western Albania on the Adriatic Sea. Founded as a Greek colony c. 625 bc, it is the country's chief seaport. Durrës (ˈdurrəs) n (Placename) a port in W Albania, on the Adriatic. Pop: 114 000 (2003 est).

Italian name: Duraz Ancient names: Epidamnus or Dyrrachium Dur•rës a seaport in W Albania, on the Adriatic: important ancient city. 217,000. Italian, Durazzo. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Durazzo Albania , Republic of Albania - a republic in southeastern Europe on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: Reconstruction of Quays 7 & 8 at the Port of Durres KUWAIT, Sept 15 (KUNA) -- Embassy of Kuwait in the Republic of Albania has provided school bags containing all the school needs to the students of "Kuwait school" in Gjepalaj in the western Albanian Province of Durres on the occasion of the start of the first day of the academic year 2015-2016.

Albania Property Group Launching a New Website Within the framework of his visit, President Ivanov also met Albanian Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Tirana Mayor and opposition leader Lulzim Basha and the Head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania. Excellent infrastructure A tug was said to be trying to tow it to the nearby Albanian port of Durres. WE'LL BURN LIKE RATS; RACE TO SAVE 287 TRAPPED ON BLAZE FERRY; One dead as terrified passengers plead for rescue in raging storm Last night, a tug was attempting to tow the ferry to the nearby Albanian port of Durres. WE'LL BURN LIKE RATS; TRAPPED RACE ON TO SAVE 300 FROM BLAZING FERRY; Britons among passengers on board packed Greek ship as bad weather hampers attempts to rescue them Simply because of the lion for which it is said that is not an ethnic element of the Albanians even if it has been used in the past symbols of Tirana, Valona and Durres but we forget that it is not a Macedonian symbol either.

Albania — By No owner — last modified Jul 02, 2016 12:13 AM Albania - Profile Facts Albania, known as Shqiperia in Albanian, is situated on the Adriatic Sea between Greece and the republic of Montenegro. After decades of rule by a strict Stalinist regime, which systematically discouraged any contact with the outside world, Albania has now opened its doors to foreign tourists and the number of visiting cruising yachts is steadily increasing. Whilst the welcome may be warm, visiting yachts can still be treated with some suspicion by officials. The main ports of entry, Durres, Vlore and Saranda are all commercial ports with few or no facilities for visiting yachts. There is a new marina at Orikum, near Vlore with some facilities, and a marina planned for Durres. The opening up of the country in the early 1990s has brought freedom to the people but has also affected the economy. This has caused high unemployment and has forced many people to emigrate. Greece and Italy are the main targets, which many Albanians try to enter illegally in small boats.

Cruising boats sailing the Adriatic should be aware of the possible presence of small unlit boats. Cruising along the coast offers many possibilities although permission to do so must be obtained when clearing in. One of the main attractions inland are the remarkably well preserved Greek and Roman ruins at Butrint, which is best reached from Saranda. The capital Tirana is 24 miles inland from the port of Durres. It is not advisable to leave a yacht unattended or without someone appointed to keep an eye on it. Be aware that not all the buoyage conforms to the IALA System A as it should and anchoring in areas marked as "minefieds" (although mostly cleared), are best avoided. Weather The climate is Mediterranean in type, with hot summers and mild winters. The wind in summer is mostly onshore, stronger in the afternoons and dying away at night. Unpredictable thunderstorms are common in the summer. jjvanro says: Jul 01, 2016 05:22 PM We spent few days in Saranda, well sheltered...as long as the Wind is not South. We rented a car and visited the country, beautifull !

Saranda Tour (Jelja and husband Gasmend wre very helpfull and nice, they even brought cake to the boat !) As you need an agent when getting in a port in Albania, I recomend them ! sstapleton says: May 23, 2016 03:57 PM We just left Saranda, and have only the highest praise for Jelja of Saranda Summer Tours. Formalities were handled quickly and flawlessly. We rented a car from them, and valued Jelja's and her husband's advice on travel and restaurants. People in Saranda were friendly, the town is clean, pleasant and seemed very safe. The only negative thing was the surge in the harbour, mainly a problem because we were alongside a sharp-cornered concrete dock. I would advise checking in while docked and then anchoring in the harbour. The surge wouldn't be an issue at anchor, but it was unpleasant next to a rough concrete dock. All in all though, a very pleasant and economical experience. sailingmaria says: May 12, 2016 09:45 AM I am a sailor from Italy.

I have heard about Albania very often from my friends who had been there and I was really curious to visit it. So, we left Bari on 10 April 2016 and sailed to Corfu where we stayed for 2 nights. We had been there a couple of times before that's why our visit was short. After that we decided to stop in Saranda, which is the closest port to Corfu. We got contact with an agent there. Her name is Jelja Serani and she promised she would arrange everything for us. Jelja and her staff were waiting for us on the dock. They helped us to moor and prepared paperwork. They also gave us a map of the town marked with all the interesting sites and good traditional restaurants of the town. We were surprised when they offered us a delicious local dish on the boat. The next day we visited the Roman ruins and the Blue Eye. In the evening Jelja took us to a very nice restaurant outside the town named "Karahaxh" where we ate paidaqe. After two days we left Saranda with the best impressions and a promise to come back again.

Sue Richards says: Jul 30, 2015 02:53 PM Sarande to Vlore: Port of Refuge Posted on behalf of Tony Olin Port of Palermo: We came in here in a thunder storm on passage to Vlore. It's an old military disused port. We dropped anchor off the old submarine penn to the north of the port, but were chased off by armed soldiers to the other side of the port where we took up a mooring bouy in 5 meters that held us overnight in up to 35 kts of wind. This is an ideal port of refuge along this coast, no need of an agent if you don't go ashore, although I did the next morning and was invited for Albanian coffee by a couple of local fishermen who were glad of the visit. Irene Cop says: Jun 15, 2015 04:39 PM Albania has custom rule regarding foreign flagged boats. Stay less than 6 months inside the country or you will have to pay custom duty, abt 22% of value of boat.

Irene Cop says: Jun 15, 2015 04:37 PM Himare is for time of writing no port of entry. jwallace says: Jun 14, 2015 10:03 AM We visited Vlore June, 2015. I contacted Sail Albania ( and rec dived an immediate response from Orion, one of the two sailors listed on the website. He met me the next day at the dock in Vlore and handled all paperwork for our US flagged yacht. He was very kind and courteous. We then spent the night at Marina Orikum. Again, we were met with kind service. The facilities are very nice. We had a fine dinner at a nearby seaside restaurant. We will return on any trips North in the Adriatic. Note that we were also contacted by Captain Irene Cop, from the same website to make sure we had been contacted and were being taken care of. Orion's mobile is 355 69 7710739, and Captain Cop's mobile is 355 69 7324138, and, again, the website is sail-albania.com.

S.thompson says: May 09, 2015 07:02 PM A very professional and helpful port agent in Saranda is Jelja Serani, from Saranda Summer Tours. She will give you all the necessary information and advice on sailing to Albania. She can also organize sightseeing tours. Find important nautical information on her website Durres, the Albanian port / Albania / Areas / Homepage - Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso - Transeuropa 07/06/2016 - Fabrizio Polacco A huge, double-headed bronze eagle rising from the centre of the roundabout shows me I've reached Shesh Shqiponjë (Eagle Square), the coach terminal. Following a few days in the Albanian capital, Tirana, I'm curious to see another, more ancient city with a rich history, that is Durrës.

People arriving by plane in the “Country of the Eagles” (Shqipëria, the official name for Albania) land not far from Tirana and, as they drop down, see a broad green valley, bounded to the east by high, steep mountains – the first outposts of the complex Balkan chains – and to the west by pleasant, rolling hills. This is why the Albanian capital, though hardly forty kilometres from the coast, has an almost continental feeling and climate. One's first visit to Albania, however, should begin in the bay of Durres, which has always been the true entrance to the country – a port on the Adriatic sea, or “port in Illyria”, as it was called during its long, fascinating history. As the coach approaches the sea, its seats taken up by students and commuters rather than tourists, in my mind I retrace what I expect from this visit to Durres on the basis of my reading: a Roman Amphitheatre, an Archaeological Museum and a Byzantine Forum.

The Rruga Egnatia in Durres (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) However the difference between a virtual journey and the real one is, above all, the surprise; and my first, small surprise happens when, on arrival, leaving the coach and crossing the first street, I read a white road sign at the junction saying Rruga Egnatia: the ancient Roman road linking Italy and the West with the Orient which continues via Thessaloniki through to Constantinople. For those who over the centuries disembarked on the quays of this still busy port (85% of the country's imports and exports pass through here), it was a continuation of Via Appia Antica across the Adriatic. For me, born where the Via Appia starts, at the gates of Ancient Rome, it's almost like extending my teenage walks on long summer afternoons on the other side of the sea. Durres (known in antiquity as Epidamnus or Dyrhacchium) was one of two starting points for this vital artery of the Empire; the other was Apollonia, some sixty kilometres to the south.

But, while today Apollonia is just an archaeological site, Durres, as I see and hear finally around me, still teems untidily with life and commercial activity. Not for nothing was it once called in jest the “Adriatic tavern”, a definition given it by the poet Catullus – famed for his “thousand kisses” to Lesbia – one who knew about the good life. And the Roman playwright Plautus made this the setting for a curious event in which two Sicilian identical twins, separated in their infancy without ever being reunited, meet unbeknownst to each other in the area near the port, thus giving rise to an entertaining “comedy of errors”, the title used by Shakespeare when he recycled the story. In short, here in Durres numerous travellers, sea-farers and traders from all over, that is the West and the East, encountered each other. Or, sometimes, they parted company. As when Caesar began his decisive duel with Pompey from here – an exhausting game of chess fought by the two armies between the sea and the long promontory parallel to the coast on the crest of which today's city was founded.

Or, again, after Theodosio's death (395 A.D.), when the Roman Empire split definitively into two parts, the eastern and western, the demarcation line passed just to the north of Durres. Which was the beginning of that separation into two Europes, the East and the West, which quickly became the division between the Orthodox and the Catholic, between the Greek-Eastern-Slav world and the Latin-Western world – a break which efforts are still being made to repair today. Through projects like TransEuropean Corridor 8, for instance, which should link the “heel of Italy” with the Black Sea, its Balkan route starting here at the ancient port of Dyrhacchium. All of this, obviously, only if Europe doesn't fall to pieces once more, rather like it did at the death of Theodosius. But, to come back to our crossroads, no-one is really certain that it is the street with this name, jammed with cars I'm trying to get past, that was the course of the ancient Egnatia.

One theory is, on the contrary, that, though beginning in the city, it was at a point nearer to the sea where one of the most interesting archaeological remains in Durres is to be found – the Forum or Byzantine “Macellum”. When I get there I find this too was a kind of junction-roundabout, encircled however by columns, most of which even now gleam slim and silent between blocks of flats and offices, right behind the square of the Bashkia (Town Hall), now the “drawing room” of modern Durres. Durres, the Roman Amphitheatre (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) The town centre lies at the foot of the southern spur of the promontory Durres was built on, with its steep slope exploited by the Romans to build what some held to be the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans, with the major axis of its ellipse being 120 metres. This Albanian “Colosseum” is the first place I visit, following the pavement along the present-day Egnatia then cutting across the Town Hall Square, paved in stone and refined by modern fountains.

Unlike other amphitheatres that we are used to in Italy and the remote provinces of the Empire, only part of this one was constructed with a wall, since almost all its northern hemicycle abutted on the rocky incline of the promontory. Today it is a sort of peaceful oasis in the middle of the busy city, easy to visit and open on holidays as was the day on which I arrived. Here too, a surprise: the surrounding houses do not, as they seem to do in old photos, reach right up to its steps, but crown it in quite a pleasant way. The part which has been almost completely lost, however, is its upper circuit on the southern side where it dips towards the sea. While I explore in the shade the tunnels serving the great Roman edifice, half walled and half dug out of the rock below the ancient stone tiers, I pause to admire the mosaics dating from before the year 1,000 in a small Byzantine church which, making use of the abandoned structure, had been inserted into its imposing ruins.

The frontal faces and wide-open eyes of the dignitaries, angels and saints, seem to welcome visitors unperturbed, taking them back to a transcendent, timeless faith. Some tombs of the period show that the site, as was common then in holy places, was also used as a cemetery. Mosaic in the Byzantine chapel of the Durres Amphiteatre (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) When I get back to the open air of the arena, my attention is drawn to a mighty circular tower rising above the hemicycle, well above the row of houses, topped by railings through which some youngsters dangle their legs while looking at the view. Today is a school holiday and, against the sky, those students on their day off look carefree out in the wind and sun – which finally has begun to shine after my first days spent in continental Tirana. Sightseeing tower on the ancient Durres fortress (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) I suppose that from up there one really dominates the city with a glance, as Aristotle in his Politics stated that a Greek polis worthy of this name should be embraced.

This meant not only dominate in a glance – and thus control from the acropolis – the built-up area and the countryside, but also to be able to know personally and directly, given the reduced size of the Greek city-state, all its citizens. Therefore, continued the philosopher, to be better able to discuss with them freely and alternate in power – these were the first forms of self-government in history. “Embrace with a glance” the ancient Epidaurum, a Greek colony founded between 628 and 624 B.C., proves harder for me than I thought. Even if the tower looked close to the amphitheatre, there is no direct street or stairway. The small houses which have sprung up all over the slopes of the citadel have privatized all access and, only after several fruitless tries, do I find someone to show me the right way: a paved road with a wide bend takes me up to where I have the tower behind me. The passer-by who gives me the information then hands me on to a group of local youths on their way up there, at least that's what I understand in broken English.

The climb is steep, confirming those etymologies that gave it the name Dyrhacchium as connected to the Ancient Greek rhachia, stony, rocky shore, thence “rachis”- a protrusion or backbone. We come to the bend where we turn to approach the edge of the hill top, and there, gaining access to our view point, I realise that the road continues on the other side, directly to another spectacular point on the promontory, the one boasting the elegant Liberty residence built by King Zog, who had to hand over Albania to the Italians in 1939. The long climb is rewarded when, faithfully following my casual escorts, I reach the top of the coveted tower. At that point the whole city and sweeping gulf on which it was founded are at my feet. My gaze takes in nearly 360° and I am amazed at the beauty before me. The skyscrapers built over the last ten years, in a disorderly manner and expressing bizarre architectural fantasies, fail to hide the extraordinary basis of the ancient foundations. A broad bay on the Adriatic, a safe harbour, an easy-to-defend acropolis and a little fertile countryside around, crossed by a small river.

The typical topography of the ancient Hellenic colonies. But it must be said that the Ancient Greeks did not build on nothing: before them the Illyrians were here. They were a people made up of many tribes (the streets of Durres record their name as well as that of the Taulantii), fierce and warlike but at the same time prepared to merge and trade with the new arrivals who, as often happens with the present refugees, were nearly all male. And present day Albanians are proud to recall that they are not, like their immediate neighbours, Slavs, nor even Greeks, but, more or less directly, Illyrians. In the Archaeological Museum, built near the sea front in 2002 (in Taulanti street, to be precise) marble gravestones with names as symbols on the tombs can be seen. They are all written in Ancient Greek: the Illyrians, like other Balkan peoples, did not have a written language, but the actual names are not at all Greek. So today we can pronounce the same sounds of over two thousand years ago in the various Plator, Eortais, Boiken, Teuta. . .

My young companions now tell me their names too, with that great variety of different ethnic and linguistic origins that one finds today on Albanian identity cards. They have, at last, taken great bottles of beer out of their bags, and they offer me some, proposing an unexpected toast here above the land and sea of Albania, unconsciously paying homage to the affectionate nickname for this town, the Tavern of the Adriatic. They tell me about the surrounding places, the ancient and modern buildings; they show me with pride a vast Albanian flag flapping above a nearby crag and won't give up until I take its photo. Using expressions more suited to football fans than politics, they tell me they would not support either their neighbouring Serbs nor the Greeks. Durres (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) Certainly, like their immediate neighbours, Albanians are not lacking in national pride, a pride sometimes bordering on fervent nationalism. Here at Durres, it must not be forgotten, the first Regnum Albaniae was founded in 1272, proclaimed by Charles of Anjou.

This event officially produced a name: Arberia (then Albania) which we also find in the name of the language Arbëreshëwhich is still spoken by the “historic” Albanians living in southern Italy for centuries, having come as refugees after the death of Skanderberg, hero of the anti-Ottoman resistance. I take my leave of my young companions, as they continue their celebrations, and I descend towards the sea via what is left of the Byzantine, then Venetian and finally Ottoman walls. Five-sided turrets alternate with great circular towers at the salient points. It was said that the ancient medieval walls of Durres were so thick and resistant that four armed horsemen, could ride side by side easily on the bastions. Indeed, in this centre of the Adriatic, one of the first Roman emperors of the Eastern Empire was born, one who knew about systems of defence – Anastasius I, who built a wall sixty kilometres long on the Thracian peninsula furthest to the east, in order to protect the imperial capital, Constantinople, from the barbarians. As I come to the sea front, despite the cold wind from the northwest, I find a more relaxed atmosphere, almost with a holiday feel.

Beyond that marine horizon the port of Brindisi is, as ancient geographers wrote, “a thousand stadions” away. It would seem a lot, but, thinking that an ancient “stadion” corresponds to approximately 180-190 metres, the distance a sprinter runs in a few seconds, one understands how so much history passed through here. And these kilometres, seen from above in an aeroplane, really seem just a small jump, a handful of minutes from the heel of Italy, a little east of Brindisi and a little north of the Salento region. Two hefty warriors in cement fighting a duel on the esplanade, representing who knows which contest in Illyrian history, accommodate on their pedestal a family picnic. Vendors of coloured balloons, kites flying in the air, electric cars for children and many groups of adolescents enjoying the evening stroll on their day off, wander past the cafés and restaurants of the seafront which have dared to put out the first tables for a season about to begin.

Modern sculpture on the Durres promenade, "Vollga" (photo by Fabrizio Polacco) Here in Greek Epidaurum, 2,400 years ago, a banal political dispute between aristocrats and democrats – who evidently were not able to “alternate in power” - degenerated, firstly into a civil war, then into respective requests for military assistance to the two mother-countries – Corfu and Corinth. Seeing that neither party prevailed, further help was requested from the respective, even more powerful allies – Athens and Sparta. Thus began a general conflict lasting nearly thirty years, written of in history books as the Peloponnese war. The war which signed the death warrant for Athens and, in essence, the decline of the classical world. Impressions, memories, past and present accumulate and interlace inextricably while strolling with a light, springtime heart through the streets of Durres. I commenti, nel limite del possibile, vengono vagliati dal nostro staff prima di essere resi pubblici. Il tempo necessario per questa operazione può essere variabile.

Vai alla nostra policy Durres facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Durres The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright The Columbia University Press Durrës (dōōr´əs), Ital. Durazzo, city (1989 pop. 82,719), capital of Durrës dist., W Albania, on the Adriatic Sea. The chief seaport of Albania and the leading commercial and communications center, it has a dockyard, a shipyard, and industries that manufacture leather, plastic, and tobacco products. It is linked by rail with Tiranë and Elbasan. Durrës is the seat of a Greek Orthodox metropolitan and, since AD 449, of a Roman Catholic archbishopric. Founded (c.625 BC) as Epidamnus, a joint colony of Corinth and Corcyra, it became an important trade center. The quarrel between Corinth and Corcyra over Epidamnus helped to precipitate (431 BC) the Peloponnesian War . Durrës passed to Rome in 229 BC and became a military and naval base.

Under Roman rule it was known as Dyrrhachium, from which the present name is derived. Pompey made (48 BC) a stand there against Caesar. The city passed to the Byzantine empire in the 8th cent., to the Normans of Sicily in 1185, to Naples in 1272, and to Serbia in 1336. Venice captured it in 1392 and held it until 1501 when it passed to the Turks. Under Turkish rule Durrës declined rapidly and almost disappeared. It was occupied (1912) by the Serbs in the First Balkan War, but was assigned to Albania in 1913. Italy (1915) and Austria (1916–18) also occupied the city. Durrës was the capital of Albania from 1913 to 1920 and revived thereafter as the country's chief seaport. It suffered heavy damage during World War II. The city, with its many mosques, has a Middle Eastern character. Three Byzantine towers and medieval fortifications erected by Venice have survived.

Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. MLA World Encyclopedia © World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. Durrësi City in w Albania on the Adriatic coast; capital of Durrës province. It was founded in 625 bc as a colony of Corcyra and Corinth . Under Roman rule, it was an important trade centre. It fell to a succession of foreign conquerors before being ceded to Venice in 1392. Captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1501, it was capital of independent Albania from 1913–21. It was occupied by Austria and Italy in World War I and by Italy in World War II . It is the country's chief port, exports include grain, olive oil and tobacco. Industries: textiles and leather. Pop. (2002 est.) 112,300.

Cite this article Durrës - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus Durrës port city in western Albania on the Adriatic Class: Durrës (Coordinates: 41.317°N 19.450°E) the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana. It's one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania. Durrës is situated at one of the narrower points of the... Albanian Information Center - Albanian.com Albania > Durres The beach of Durr's One of Albania's oldest cities, the country's main sea port, the second largest industrial center after Tirana. Durr's (pronounced: Dooh-ras) lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic sea. Its population is around 85,000 (the second largest city in Albania). Durr's was established in the year 627 B.C. by Korintha and Korkyra colonists, on the area of an ancient settlement of the Illyrian tribe Taulant.

It went under the names Epidamn, Dyrrah, and Dyrrachium, from which its present name has derived. Having a large Illyrian population and trading with other places, the city prospered. Ever since the 5th century B.C., Durr's produced metals, ceramics, fabric and leather, and had shipyards for making ships. Durr's was a city-state with slaves and a slave-owning class. Old coins found in the area of Durr's are proof of its economical development of this period, it was the city that put the Illyrian Drachma into circulation. The arts and architecture prospered, the Bukuroshja e Durr'sit (The Beautiful Girl of Durr's) mosaic is one of the most popular historical figures found here. In the year 229 B.C., Durr's fell under Rome, but it retained a semi-autonomy. It was turned into a Roman colony during the rule of Augustus, around the year 20 B.C. The Illyrian population gained political power and rose high in administrative positions, as is shown by many Illyrian names found on inscriptions.

Durr's developed during the period between the 1st to the 3rd centuries A.D., it became a major trading center and the main port on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Craftsmanship developed, roads, libraries, aqueducts and odeons were built, as was the Amphitheater of Durr's. At the end of the 3rd century, Durr's became the center of the province of New Epirus. At the 4th century A.D., in spite of the crisis in the Roman Empire, Durr's still remained a developed trading center. And during the 5th and 6th centuries, Durr's was an important city of the western part of the Byzantine Empire, despite the attacks of the Ostrogoths and other barbarians. Under the rule of Anastas, who was born in Durr's, many new buildings rose, such as the hippodrome, two surrounding city walls, and the Basilica of Arapajt. It was also an episcopal center.

During the 10th and 11th centuries suffered several attacks (it was attacked by the Bulgarians from 989-1005; by the Normans, 1082-1083, and it was set ablaze by them in 1185; by Venice in 1205, which formed the Duke of Durr's; by Carl of the Anzuins in 1272, which established the Kingdom of Arb'ria and Durr's as its capital; and by the Serbs in the beginning of the 14th century.) In the 14th century, Durr's was Albania's largest city, with around 25,000 inhabitants. In 1368, it was taken by Karl Topia, and it became the center of the Principality of Arb'ria. In 1392, the Ottoman Turks reached the city, which was left under the control of Venice by Gjergj Topia, and remained in their control until 1508. Skenderbeg and his troops surrounded the city in 1447.

The city was devastated after it was taken by the Ottomans, most of the population fled, turning Durr's into a village. It redeveloped in the 17th century, once again became a trading center and port of middle Albania. Durr's was severely damaged by earthquakes, in 1372, 1905, and 1926. During and after the 1870s, the city grew slowly, and branches of foreign shipping companies were opened here. The citizens of Durr's participated in the Albanian national liberation movement, during the years 1878-1881, and 1910-1912. On November 21st, 1912, Ismajl Qemali came to Durr's and on November 26th, 1912, the Albanian flag of independence was risen at Durr's, but the city was captured by the Serbs three days later. The Serbs remained until May, 1913. On March 7th, 1913, Durr's became the capital of Albania.

After the fall of Wilhelm Wied, the Austrian prince appointed King of Albania by the European powers, Durr's was the scene of many uprisings. In 1916 it was captured by the forces of Austria-Hungary, and in 1918 by Italian forces. During the past nine centuries, Durr's has changed hands from one ruler to another 33 times. After World War I, in December, 1918, a national congress was held in Durr's, a temporary administration of Durr's was appointed, which fell in January, 1920, after the Congress of Lushnje. The citizens of Durr's participated in the War of Vlora, and in the democratic movements of the years 1921-1924. During the rule of Zog, Italian capital went through Durr's, and many factories were built, such as those for producing flour, cigarettes, and pasta. After the damages of the earthquake of December of 1926, wider roads were built, and the city gained an appearance, especially near the port, similar to that of its present appearance.

During the 1930s, Durr's marked a slow development, from 4700 inhabitants it had in 1923, grew to 10,500 in 1938. During 1939, Durr's was the center of resistance to the Italian Fascist forces, which had occupied the country. Many demonstrations and strikes were held in the city, and in 1942 the National Liberation Council was formed here. In August, 1943, the city was taken by the Germans, which blew up the port in 1944. After World War II, Durr's was transformed into an industrial city, and an important cultural and educational center. The main fields of production in today's Durr's are the industries of mechanics, chemicals, electronics, furniture, plastic, rubber, and food. Durr's produces wine, cigarettes, fish, high tonnage ships, train cars, electric motors, radio and television sets, plastic and rubber articles, etc. Durr's was the scene of many demonstrations during the democratic movement of 1990-1991.

Aside from the main library, The Cultural Center with the "Aleksander Moisiu" theater, Durr's has the Estrada Theater, the Puppet Theater, the Philharmonic orchestra, the artistic Ensemble "Durr'si," and many other artistic groups. The museums that have been built are the Archeological Museum, Museum of History, and the house of Aleksander Moisiu's family has been turned into a museum. Durr's has many scientific associations and the branch of the Artists and Writers Association is active here. The city has expanded on the north and the east, whilst many new public and residential buildings have been built, monuments of the ancient city have been preserved. The main industrial zone is at the entrance of the city from the east, at the Shkozeti quarters. Durr's has many parks and flower gardens, and the outdoor theater has been built on the hills of the city. The main recreational areas of Durr's are the Beach of Durr's and the Beach of Currilave, where citizens and tourists enjoy the sandy beaches and the clear seawater of the Adriatic.

Durrës | Article about Durrës by The Free Dictionary Durrës | Article about Durrës by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Durrës (do͞or`əs), Ital. Durazzo, city (1989 pop. 82,719), capital of Durrës dist., W Albania, on the Adriatic Sea. The chief seaport of Albania and the leading commercial and communications center, it has a dockyard, a shipyard, and industries that manufacture leather, plastic, and tobacco products. It is linked by rail with Tiranë and Elbasan. Durrës is the seat of a Greek Orthodox metropolitan and, since A.D. 449, of a Roman Catholic archbishopric. Founded (c.625 B.C.) as Epidamnus, a joint colony of Corinth and Corcyra, it became an important trade center.

The quarrel between Corinth and Corcyra over Epidamnus helped to precipitate (431 B.C.) the Peloponnesian War Peloponnesian War , 431–404 B.C., decisive struggle in ancient Greece between Athens and Sparta. It ruined Athens, at least for a time. The rivalry between Athens' maritime domain and Sparta's land empire was of long standing. Athens under Pericles (from 445 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. . Durrës passed to Rome in 229 B.C. and became a military and naval base. Under Roman rule it was known as Dyrrhachium, from which the present name is derived. Pompey made (48 B.C.) a stand there against Caesar. The city passed to the Byzantine empire in the 8th cent., to the Normans of Sicily in 1185, to Naples in 1272, and to Serbia in 1336. Venice captured it in 1392 and held it until 1501 when it passed to the Turks.

Under Turkish rule Durrës declined rapidly and almost disappeared. It was occupied (1912) by the Serbs in the First Balkan War, but was assigned to Albania in 1913. Italy (1915) and Austria (1916–18) also occupied the city. Durrës was the capital of Albania from 1913 to 1920 and revived thereafter as the country's chief seaport. It suffered heavy damage during World War II. The city, with its many mosques, has a Middle Eastern character. Three Byzantine towers and medieval fortifications erected by Venice have survived. Durrës (also Durrësi), a city in Albania, on the coast of the Gulf of Durrësi in the Adriatic Sea. Population, 53,200(1967). A highway junction, Durrës is the principal port of the country and is connected by railroads with the capital, the city of Tirana, and the industrial centers of Elbasani and Laç. It has the shipbuilding, metalworking, food, tobacco, leather, and rubber industries.

It is the center of the fishing and the fish-packing industry as well as being a tourist center and a seaside health resort. The winters are warm and humid, with average January temperatures of 5°C, and the summers are warm and dry, with average July temperatures of about 25°C. Annual precipitation is 1,100-1,800 mm. Durrës offers treatment for nontubercular illnesses of the respiratory organs, functional disorders of the nervous system, and secondary anemia. Durrës was founded under the name of Epidamnus in about 627 B.C Durres | Article about Durres by The Free Dictionary Durres | Article about Durres by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Related to Durres: Durresi Durrës (do͞or`əs), Ital. Durazzo, city (1989 pop. 82,719), capital of Durrës dist., W Albania, on the Adriatic Sea.

The chief seaport of Albania and the leading commercial and communications center, it has a dockyard, a shipyard, and industries that manufacture leather, plastic, and tobacco products. It is linked by rail with Tiranë and Elbasan. Durrës is the seat of a Greek Orthodox metropolitan and, since A.D. 449, of a Roman Catholic archbishopric. Founded (c.625 B.C.) as Epidamnus, a joint colony of Corinth and Corcyra, it became an important trade center. The quarrel between Corinth and Corcyra over Epidamnus helped to precipitate (431 B.C.) the Peloponnesian War Peloponnesian War , 431–404 B.C., decisive struggle in ancient Greece between Athens and Sparta. It ruined Athens, at least for a time. The rivalry between Athens' maritime domain and Sparta's land empire was of long standing. Athens under Pericles (from 445 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. . Durrës passed to Rome in 229 B.C. and became a military and naval base.

Under Roman rule it was known as Dyrrhachium, from which the present name is derived. Pompey made (48 B.C.) a stand there against Caesar. The city passed to the Byzantine empire in the 8th cent., to the Normans of Sicily in 1185, to Naples in 1272, and to Serbia in 1336. Venice captured it in 1392 and held it until 1501 when it passed to the Turks. Under Turkish rule Durrës declined rapidly and almost disappeared. It was occupied (1912) by the Serbs in the First Balkan War, but was assigned to Albania in 1913. Italy (1915) and Austria (1916–18) also occupied the city. Durrës was the capital of Albania from 1913 to 1920 and revived thereafter as the country's chief seaport. It suffered heavy damage during World War II. The city, with its many mosques, has a Middle Eastern character. Three Byzantine towers and medieval fortifications erected by Venice have survived.

Durrës (also Durrësi), a city in Albania, on the coast of the Gulf of Durrësi in the Adriatic Sea. Population, 53,200(1967). A highway junction, Durrës is the principal port of the country and is connected by railroads with the capital, the city of Tirana, and the industrial centers of Elbasani and Laç. It has the shipbuilding, metalworking, food, tobacco, leather, and rubber industries. It is the center of the fishing and the fish-packing industry as well as being a tourist center and a seaside health resort. The winters are warm and humid, with average January temperatures of 5°C, and the summers are warm and dry, with average July temperatures of about 25°C. Annual precipitation is 1,100-1,800 mm. Durrës offers treatment for nontubercular illnesses of the respiratory organs, functional disorders of the nervous system, and secondary anemia. Durrës was founded under the name of Epidamnus in about 627 B.C

Question: Durres is the chief port of which country?
Answer: Albania